Monson High School uses inauguration as launching pad for anti-bullying campaign

Photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanMichael Walker, 18, and Abigail Cote,17, both members of the Monson High School Student Council, address their classmates gathered in the schools' gym tuesday prior to the inauguration of Barack Obama as president Tuesday.

MONSON - Monson High School used President Obama's inauguration to kick-off its initiative to improve school climate. So after Obama's speech, the school's nearly 400 students who had intently watched the president's speech played a Price-Is-Right-styled game designed to introduce new anti-bullying rules and entertain students.

In the game "Statistics Are Right," selected students were called down from the gymnasium bleachers and were awarded Monson High School T-shirts and water bottles for successfully answering statistical questions about a survey of students about bullying.

"The data we have chosen today shows that a number of students are frequently bullied in our school. It is everyone's responsibility to not physically or verbally bully or harass others," Senior Abigail L. Cote, 17, said in announcing the game.

Before the speech or the game, Principal James C. Peters told students they were witnessing a special moment in the nation's history.

"Twenty years from now after you hear this, you'll remember you sat in this gymnasium," Peters said.

Student Council President Michael J. Walker, 18, a senior, said the nation is turning a new leaf.

"In our country, we are headed in a positive direction. On a much smaller scale, the same concept applies to our school," Walker said.